Distributed Ledger Solutions in Web 4.0 and their Impact on Enterprises and Society, Volume II

The next technological transition to Web 4.0 has just begun, aiming to integrate digital and real objects and environments while enhancing trustworthy interactions between humans and machines. This transformative landscape—enriched by blockchain and distributed ledger solutions, industrial and open metaverse approaches, open-source initiatives, and innovations in quantum computing—calls for extensive exploration and applied research. In this Research Topic, we aim to uncover new insights from the Web 4.0 transition, address challenges, and unlock its full potential for enterprises and society.

While the topics provided below serve as starting points, they are by no means exhaustive. We encourage scholars, practitioners, and innovators to venture beyond these examples, fostering creativity and pushing the boundaries of knowledge through perspective, review, and original research articles. The scope of this Research Topic embraces multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches relevant to Web 4.0, welcoming contributions from diverse fields such as:

- Blockchain and distributed ledger solutions, AI convergence, decentralized applications, interoperability, autonomous decision-making

- Tokenomics and cryptocurrencies, decentralized finance (DeFi), digital assets, economic incentives, and governance structures

- Impact assessments on organizations, carbon footprint analysis, circular economy initiatives, and sustainable supply chain practices

- Societal implications, digital inclusion, ethical considerations, privacy frameworks, and democratic governance mechanisms

- Enterprise adoption strategies, competence management, supply chain resilience, risk management, value creation, and market dynamics

By engaging in this Research Topic, contributors have the opportunity to shape future technological landscapes, drive sustainable innovation, and address pressing societal challenges. Collaborative efforts across disciplines can lead to actionable insights, impactful solutions, and policy recommendations that foster responsible development and inclusive growth in Web 4.0 ecosystems.

Join us in this exciting journey of exploration and discovery within Web 4.0 and its far-reaching implications. Let’s collectively pave the way toward a more transparent, resilient, and equitable digital future, where technology serves as a catalyst for positive change in enterprises, society, and sustainability.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Web 4.0, blockchain, distributed ledger, decentralized applications, AI and blockchain convergence, industrial metaverse, open metaverse ecosystems, decentralized finance (DeFi), tokenomics, digital assets, quantum computing, industrial technologies

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.